Aircraft Seat Track Foot Layout for Stable Smooth Translation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft seat translating systems face issues with stability and smooth translation due to roller bearings positioned in the center of the track, leading to instability, rocking, and increased floor loads, and require additional components for vertical adjustment.

Innovation Solution

The system positions roller bearings at the outermost portions of the seat structure, integrating them with the track foot to pivot during translation, eliminating the need for vertical adjustment and reducing parts, while ensuring smooth movement and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If roller bearings are positioned in the center of the track, then the translation mechanism is compact, but the stability deteriorates and rocking movement occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetranslation mechanism compactnessVSAvoidseat stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the roller bearing position from a central single-point configuration to a distributed configuration at the outermost portions of the seat structure. This spatial redistribution in multiple dimensions eliminates the rocking motion caused by central positioning while maintaining translation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If roller bearings are positioned in the center of the track, then the structure is simplified, but the degrees of freedom are constrained and translation smoothness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidtranslation smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the translation support function into multiple segments by positioning separate roller bearings at different outermost portions of the seat structure. This segmentation allows each roller to independently handle translation without interfering with attachment countersinks, thereby improving translation smoothness while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If track feet and rollers are separately positioned, then the adjustment flexibility is improved, but the space competition increases and stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment flexibilityVSAvoidroller stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the track foot and roller bearing into an integrated assembly positioned at the outermost portions of the seat structure. This combination eliminates the space competition between separately positioned components while maintaining the necessary adjustment flexibility through the integrated design that allows the roller to pivot during translation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances stability and smooth translation of aircraft seats by reducing parts and eliminating binding, thereby improving user comfort and reducing floor loads.

Implementation Method 1

The one or more roller bearings may be configured to interface with a top surface of the floor track and coupled to the track foot via one or more axles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP4311774B1Tracking system for an aircraft seat
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 AMI IND INC
  • EP4311774B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4311774B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4311774B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An aircraft seat (102) may include an integrated tracking system (100). The tracking system may include at least one track foot (204) and one or more roller bearings (202). The track foot may include one or more axles (216) and be able to interface with a portion of an aircraft seat track. The one or more roller bearings may be coupled to the one or more axles of the track foot and interface with a top surface of the aircraft seat track to aid in the translation of the aircraft seat.